Amazon Fire 7 (2017) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Welcome to my review of the Amazon Fire 7 (2017), a budget-friendly tablet that was released back in June 2017. Despite being a few years old, the Fire 7 is still a popular device for those who are looking for an affordable tablet for entertainment purposes. As I delve into the details, I'll explore the design and build quality, display, performance, software and user interface, camera, battery life, connectivity, and additional features that make the Fire 7 stand out from its competitors. I'll also provide a comparison with other related phones and highlight the pros and cons of this device. By the end of this review, you should have a clear idea of whether the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) is the right tablet for you. So, let's get started!

Design and Build Quality

The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) is a budget-friendly tablet that boasts a sleek and minimalist design. The tablet has a compact size and lightweight construction, making it easy to carry around. It measures 192 x 115 x 9.6 mm (7.56 x 4.53 x 0.38 in) and weighs only 295 g (10.41 oz). The tablet is available in four attractive color options - Black, Canary Yellow, Marine Blue, and Punch Red.

The Fire 7 (2017) is made of plastic, which is not as premium as metal or glass, but it does feel solid and durable. The tablet has a smooth texture and rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The back of the tablet features a matte finish that provides a good grip and prevents fingerprints and smudges.

The tablet has a simple button placement, with the power button and volume rocker located on the top right side. The bottom of the tablet houses the micro-USB port and the 3.5mm headphone jack. The tablet does not have a fingerprint sensor or face unlock feature.

Overall, the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) has a sturdy construction, ergonomic design, and attractive color options. While it may not have the premium feel of more expensive tablets, it is still a well-built device that is comfortable to hold and use.

Display

The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) comes equipped with a 7.0 inch, 16:9 ratio IPS LCD display boasting a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels and a pixel density of around 170 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio is around 62.5%, which may not be the largest in the market, but it still offers a decent viewing experience.

The display technology used is an IPS LCD, which is known for its wide viewing angles and good color reproduction. The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) offers just that, with vibrant colors that are accurate and true to life. However, the display is not the brightest in the market, which may make outdoor visibility a bit of a challenge, especially in direct sunlight.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the display are decent, but not the most impressive. Users may experience occasional lag or delays in response times, especially when multitasking or running heavy apps. However, for everyday use, the display is more than suitable.

Overall, the display of the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) is neither the best nor the worst in the market. It offers a decent viewing experience with vibrant colors and accurate color reproduction. However, outdoor visibility may be a bit of a challenge, and touch sensitivity could be improved.

Performance

The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) boasts a Mediatek MT8127 chipset with a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a Mali-450MP4 GPU. It also has two variants for internal storage and RAM: 8GB with 1GB RAM and 16GB with 1GB RAM. While these specs may not be impressive to many, they are decent for a budget tablet. Multitasking and app performance are smooth for basic tasks like browsing, streaming, and light gaming. However, it struggles with more demanding apps and games that require higher processing power. In terms of gaming capabilities, it can handle light to moderate games but struggles with heavy games with high graphics requirements. Benchmark scores were average, with a score of 25,068 in AnTuTu. Real-world usage is satisfactory, but users may encounter occasional lags and delays. Overall, the performance of the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) is decent for basic tasks and light usage, but it may not be suitable for heavy usage or demanding apps and games.

Software and User Interface

The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) runs on a customized version of Android 5.1 (Lollipop) called Fire 5.4. This software is optimized for Amazon's ecosystem and features a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.

While the operating system is not the latest version of Android, it does offer a range of customization options, including the ability to change the wallpaper and organize apps into folders. Additionally, the Fire 5.4 offers a range of Amazon-specific features, such as the ability to access Amazon's vast library of digital content, including books, movies, and TV shows.

The Fire 7 also comes pre-installed with a range of Amazon apps, including the Amazon Appstore, Amazon Music, and Amazon Prime Video. While some users may find the inclusion of these apps to be bloatware, they do offer a range of useful features that are integrated into the device's overall user experience.

Overall, the Fire 7's software and user interface are designed to seamlessly integrate with Amazon's ecosystem, providing users with easy access to a range of digital content. While the operating system may not be the latest version of Android, the Fire 5.4 offers a range of customization options and user-friendly features that make it a compelling option for users who are looking for an affordable tablet that can seamlessly integrate with Amazon's ecosystem.

Camera

The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) packs a 2-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front-facing camera. While the camera specs may seem lackluster, they are on par with the tablet's affordable price point.

Under ideal lighting conditions, the rear camera can produce decent photos with accurate colors and decent detail. However, in low-light situations, the camera struggles with noise and poor clarity. The front-facing camera is suitable for video calls and basic selfies but produces low-quality images with little detail.

The camera app is basic and easy to use, with a simple layout and limited features. It includes standard settings such as flash, HDR, and a timer, but lacks advanced features such as manual controls or filters.

Overall, the camera performance on the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) is adequate for basic photography needs, but it's not a standout feature of the device. If photography is a top priority, there are better options available in the market.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) lacks cellular connectivity, which means that it cannot make phone calls or send text messages. However, it does offer dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, which enables fast and reliable internet access, even in areas with weak network coverage. The Bluetooth 4.0 technology allows for easy pairing with other compatible devices, such as wireless headphones or speakers.

Unfortunately, the device does not support NFC or wireless payment options, which may be a deal-breaker for some users who rely on these features. Additionally, the lack of GPS and navigation accuracy may make it challenging for users to navigate unfamiliar areas.

On the positive side, the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) features an accelerometer sensor that enables automatic screen rotation and can also be used for gaming. It also supports OTG (On-The-Go) functionality, which allows users to connect external USB devices such as flash drives and external hard drives to the tablet.

Overall, while the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive devices, it still offers reliable connectivity options that should suffice for most everyday tasks.

Additional Features

The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) tablet offers a range of additional features that enhance the user experience. Despite its low price point, this tablet packs a punch when it comes to features.

Firstly, it boasts Alexa natural language commands which allow users to interact with their tablet in a more intuitive way. Users can ask Alexa to play music, read the news, set alarms or even control other smart home devices.

The tablet also offers a text-to-speech English-language content reader, which is an excellent accessibility feature for users with visual impairments or learning difficulties. This feature allows users to listen to their favorite books or articles without having to read them on the screen.

Additionally, the tablet comes with a microSDXC dedicated slot, allowing users to expand their storage capacity up to 256GB. This means users can store more music, photos, and videos on their device without having to worry about running out of space.

The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, providing users with the option to listen to their music or videos with their favorite pair of headphones. The tablet also comes with a loudspeaker, which produces clear and crisp sound quality.

Lastly, the tablet is available in four vibrant colors: black, canary yellow, marine blue, and punch red. This allows users to choose a tablet that matches their personal style.

Overall, the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) offers a range of additional features that make it a great choice for users who want a tablet with excellent functionality at an affordable price point.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) with other related phones, we can look at devices like the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential or the Samsung Galaxy Tab A.
The Lenovo Tab 7 Essential offers similar specifications to the Fire 7, including a 7-inch display, 1GB of RAM, and a 2MP rear camera. However, it runs on a newer version of Android, has a slightly larger battery, and offers cellular connectivity options.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A, on the other hand, offers a larger 8-inch display, a higher resolution, and better performance thanks to its 2GB of RAM and quad-core processor. It also has a 5MP rear camera and runs on Android 9.0.
In terms of pricing, the Lenovo Tab 7 Essential is similarly priced to the Fire 7, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab A is priced higher. Ultimately, the choice between devices will depend on individual needs and preferences.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) tablet is a budget-friendly device that offers a decent performance for its price. Although it may not have the most advanced features or the latest software, it still provides a good user experience for basic tasks like browsing, streaming, and light gaming.

The tablet's design and build quality are satisfactory, and its compact size makes it easy to carry around. The display may not be the highest resolution, but it gets the job done, and the colors are vibrant. The performance is average, but it can handle most everyday activities without any major hiccups.

The software and user interface are user-friendly, and the pre-installed apps are useful for entertainment and productivity. The camera quality is not the best, but it is acceptable for casual photography and video recording. The battery life is decent, and the tablet offers a good connectivity and networking experience.

Overall, the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) tablet is a good option for those who need a device for basic use and don't want to spend a lot of money. It may not be the most advanced or feature-rich tablet, but it gets the job done. However, for those who need more advanced features or better performance, there are other options available at higher price points.